CSO Leaders meet Reps Speaker

Leaders of select Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), led by Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, on Monday, May 11, met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives to discuss current human rights concerns in the COVID-19 period. In addition to Nwankwo, other Civil Society leaders present included Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Mufuliat Funjabi, CEO women Trustfund and Samson Itodo, Executive Director, YAIGA. Visiting Civil Society leaders told the Speaker that they were concerned about the human rights situation in the county, particularly, that the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 is being used as an excuse by different officials of State to inflict human rights abuse on citizens. The team also raised concern that government measures to provide palliatives and support to citizens were paltry and inadequate, and seriously abused. CSO leaders also raised concern about the Infectious Diseases Control Bill currently pending in the House, especially about some of its provisions that threaten the human rights of citizens. The CSO leaders however, commended the efforts of the House in proposing the Economic Stimulus Bill and providing Legislative leadership to address some of citizens’ concerns at this time. In his response to the team, the Speaker promised to address concerns raised, and particularly promised that the Infectious Diseases Control Bill would be committed to the relevant committees of the House of Representatives who would organise a public hearing where critical stakeholders, including CSOs would be invited to physically attend and make their submissions known.